FAQs

Academics

While the MPH core curriculum is the same as the NYU/NYC-based program, Cross-Continental offers a global immersion into three different global health environments and systems, allowing you to gain global experience while you earn your MPH.

As part of the Cross-Continental MPH program, you will follow a curriculum that will provide you the with core competencies and concentration skill sets, but also allow you to choose from a list of electives with varying topics such as HIV/AIDS, Migration and Health, or Non-communicable Diseases. Learn more about the Cross-Continental MPH courses.

At GPH, we believe the integration of research, practice and training is critical to excellence in public health. You will have the opportunity to be involved in research for your culminating experiences, such as a thesis for epidemiology or an evaluation of a global health program, for example. All MPH programs also require a practice experience component. During the program, you will engage in 180 hours of field experience, with the majority of practice settings during your second term.

There is no requirement of language proficiency for the current Cross-Continental sequence of Washington, D.C./Accra/Florence. Students that enroll in the Washington D.C./Buenos Aires/Madrid cohort are expected to be advanced beginner/intermediate Spanish speaking skills. Students that may not know Spanish at all or at the basic level are strongly encouraged to begin taking lessons so they have a foundation for the start of the cohort. Students that apply to the program will receive an assessment exam to determine their language proficiency. Spanish language classes are required each semester of the program.

Dropping classes or withdrawing from the program after a certain date each term will result in the full tuition cost for that term being forfeited with no opportunity for refund, as per the policy of the NYU Office of the Bursar. Please visit the website of the Office of the Bursar for more information on refund schedules for each term.

Logistics

Travel for semesters abroad will be coordinated by the Assistant Director, Global Coordination at GPH. Round-trip flights are arranged for the fall and spring semesters from New York City or Washington, DC. However, students will be a provided flight back to New York to participate in Commencement in May. Travel back to your home city will be your responsibility after commencement.

If you intend to travel on your own for non-school related adventures, you would book that yourself. But, you would need to be sure that any individual travel is listed in NYU Traveler, a site which was created to provide the NYU community with tools and services for their travel needs and to help keep them safer.

For the DC/Accra/Florence cohort, students can opt-out of NYU housing during the summer term in DC and the spring term in Florence and find their own accommodations. Students are required to stay in NYU housing during the fall semester in Accra.

For the Spanish Immersion cohort, students can opt-out of NYU housing during the summer term in DC and during the spring term in Madrid and find their own accommodations. Students are responsible for finding their own accommodations in Buenos Aires for the fall term. NYU does not have housing available during the fall term.

NYU provided housing can include on or off-campus housing, in singles (when available) or doubles, in apartments or suites (multiple bedrooms and shared living space and kitchens). Please review Tuition and Housing section for more information.

In most cases, you will be assigned a roommate through NYU’s automated system, or you may choose one on your own. A survey will be sent prior to assignments so you can provide your study habits, sleeping routine, etc, to be assigned a roommate with similar interests. All efforts are made to provide single rooms when available.

Yes – everyone requires a visa unless you hold a passport of the destination country or there is an agreement with your home country and the destination country. GPH Global Coordination and NYU’s Office of Global Services will work to assist you, but ultimately, you will be responsible for obtaining your visas, and provide the necessary documentation.

Please also note that some immunizations (i.e. Yellow Fever) can be challenging to find, so please try to get your immunizations before leaving home. Be sure to bring documentation from your doctor demonstrating that you did receive the immunizations. If you do not receive your immunizations prior to arriving, NYU Student Health Center can advise on local clinics.

You will be enrolled in an international health insurance plan for the semesters you are abroad. For the summer while you are in the U.S., you will be automatically enrolled in the student health insurance plan, unless you choose to opt out. You must also be enrolled in domestic health insurance while studying abroad in case you need to leave the program and return to the U.S. or your home country.

Student Affairs and Services

While each site is different, student life remains a vital aspect of each campus, and you’ll be studying at established NYU sites that are fully supported by the structure of the University. You will experience orientations at each site, as well as find similar student services to those you would find at a traditional American university, including internet and multi-media access, as well as state-of-the-art library availability.

That depends greatly upon you! While the university will sponsor planned field trips and cultural immersion events, we also look to you to initiate fun activities with your cohort. We invite you to explore safely and enjoy your surroundings. Our on-site staff are prepared to recommend restaurant options, day trips, community celebrations or weekend excursion options.

Absolutely! Please note in advance that each site has its own respective rules regarding guests in the dorms. If you have visitors expected, we recommend that they find their own accommodations. NYU Traveler may be able to offer negotiated rates.

If you need to plan personal travel, your student affairs team will work closely with you to meet your needs. We are seasoned in working with students who reside all over the world and prepared to support you as you progress through our program.

You will be enrolled in a health insurance plan while you are in the program that covers injury. illness and emergencies. All insurance plans should be reviewed carefully. The Student Health Center is able to provide support and clarity on the coverage. The university has long-standing relationships with healthcare providers at all of our sites.

Safety

Our students’ safety is of primary concern to New York University and is monitored continually. Rest assured that the university has taken all precautions for student safety, both in New York and at our abroad sites. Please visit NYU’s Public Safety website, and note that we advise our students to do your due diligence if you plan any personal travel, always being mindful of your surroundings and belongings.

If you have further questions, please contact our Sr. Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Julie Avina, at julie.avina@nyu.edu.

We have NYU support staff on the ground at all of our sites, trained in cases of emergency. We also have a highly trained team based in New York that is well versed in emergency situations at our abroad sites. We will take you through a safety training when you arrive in New York so you and your families are aware of and comfortable with our protocols.